Q: I know John Fox uses the 4-3 (defensive scheme), but why don’t the Broncos use more 3-4 packages? Elvis Dumervil had 17 sacks in 2009 in the 3-4 defense. … The Broncos should give it a shot.

A: Mike, Fox’s defensive scheme is indeed a classic 4-3 at its roots, but he uses a variety of things from that starting point.

The Broncos do flash formations — particularly in their pass-rush packages, for example — that are closer to a 3-4 in both philosophy and personnel. First-year defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio also has a more traditional 3-4 look in the defensive playbook, which he could use as well if he believes the matchup calls for it in a given week.

The Broncos use strongside linebacker Von Miller as a defensive end in virtually all of their pass-rush packages. And when Miller is lined up at one end to go with Dumervil at the other, the look is far closer to that of a 3-4 defense (three linemen and four linebackers) than it is a 4-3.

The Broncos also have a three-linemen, three-linebacker package that they use a great deal when they go to the nickel (five defensive backs). In that scenario, Miller is routinely lined up as a defensive end.

The idea is what you’re looking for as well, to get the speed rushers working the edges, pinching the pass pocket from the outside in.

The Broncos also often drop a safety down to serve as a linebacker in some formations. So while three linebackers, as they are listed at the position on the roster, may be in the formation, a safety like Mike Adams will actually be lined up at linebacker as well.

When the Broncos used a seven-defensive back look Sunday against the Raiders, they also moved Adams down into the middle of the formation next to linebackers Wesley Woodyard and Danny Trevathan. So, while there were indeed seven defensive backs on the field, the formation was more like a 2-3-6 look. The Broncos may even consider it one of their dime packages (six defensive backs).

“Anything you can do to make the quarterback pause a little bit or not know what you’re going to do at the snap is going to help you,” is how Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey put it. “These guys in the league right now, if they walk up there and they know what your coverage is or know where you’re rushing from, they’ll just eat you up. You have to be able to disguise things.”

But in the base defense, there is no question the Broncos are a tried and true 4-3 look, especially when they use three 300-pounders across the front. When the Broncos open in their starting base defense, it’s usually the 330-pound Kevin Vickerson, the 312-pound Justin Bannan and 300-pound Derek Wolfe across the front with Dumervil.

The Broncos hope Wolfe can continue to develop into a quality upfield player. That would enable them to play him more in pass-rush situations without surrendering bulk in the defensive front.

That is the Broncos’ chief issue on defense at the moment. They have athletic players with plenty of speed like Dumervil, Miller, Woodyard and Trevathan. But to get those players on the field, they are taking out bigger players to do it.

So, your astute quarterbacks will often see the lighter formation and change to running plays. And when things haven’t gone well for the Broncos defense in Fox’s tenure, it’s often because the Broncos can’t stop the run, or the tight end in the passing game with the smaller lineup.

The Broncos succeeded in going a little smaller Sunday against the Raiders because they held the lead for much of the afternoon and didn’t allow the Raiders to run the ball effectively when the game was still in doubt.

As a result, Oakland was in a pass-first most mode for much of the second half and the Broncos could go lighter on defense and know they would be in pass-rush situations almost without fail.

The questions will arise when they try it against offenses when the run game is still an option.

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